Jin Shin Jyutsu

Jin Shin Jyutsu is a finger holding technique that helps to relax the body. Since I was a kid I had the habit of tucking my thumbs inside the remaining fingers on each hand like I was making an inverted fist. According to Jin Shin Jyutsu, cradling your thumb relieves anxiety.

First of all, who knew I was so anxious, and second, pretty prescient to have been so self-soothing all these years.

Check out this video and go take five minutes for you and relax.

Today is Day 10 of the #AtoZ blog challenge. Piece o’ cake.

p.s. I did the Jin Shin Jyutsu technique before I went to bed and I had an amazingly sound sleep!

I’m going to have to put this to practise tonight, but I have noticed just now that an inverted fist helps me sleep more easily… apparently doing this is supposed to make you feel like you’ve expended energy – something to do with when you’re running, doing this can slowly deplete your energy, and I guess if it’s done outside of jogging, it can simply make you feel more relaxed and tired!

Very interesting post and video – I will give it a try too Pam. It beats worry beads – I’ve not used them, but have seen people rely on them in the past, especially when flying in an airplane to keep calm on takeoff, landing and during occasional turbulence.

I had a set at one time too Pam. I bought some wooden worry beads when I was in Greece. (That and an 8-track tape of bouzouki music which drove my parents crazy as I played it all the time when I returned home). I am thinking I gave mine to my grandmother – how ironic is that?

Ha ha – well you know it is one of those things “when in Rome do as the Romans do” … I loved that trip and they had “Greek Night” several times on the cruise, and the last night our group went into town (Mykonos) and spent the evening in a small place with bouzouki music. I bought the band’s tape. I was so excited to share the music with my parents when I returned home. However, they told me, before three songs had played, that maybe I should listen with my headphones on! Like your dad – the music gets old after a while and all sounds alike!

Makes sense to me – in my world the thumb is connected to the ego and it’s the ego that drives us bonkers and makes us miserable – so having a way to calm and soothe that sounds wonderful. I’m going to try it and I’ve saved that video for later too.

Oh lovely Pam! The video I mean but you too! It makes sense. Acupressure on fingers and feet really does work. I’m going to try to incorporate this simple exercise in my life, when I’m sitting still. Maybe even in the car, or aeroplane or wherever! Thank you 🙂 xx

This is fascinating. In yoga classes I was taught how to hold my fingers and thumb in such ways as to empower me in difficult situations. It was different than this method, each digit meant something else. But the idea is the same. Control yourself on the sly.

Very interesting. Some children with disabilities keep their thumb that way all the time. (I think maybe they can’t not). Some non-disabled children do this a lot when they are small, like they are controlling their anxiety.

I think it started in childhood, Mari. I was three when my infant brother died and the anxiety around that event was all-encompassing in my house. I think it’s just been carried forward into adulthood. Now that I know it relieves anxiety, I’m going to do it consciously instead of unconsciously. Have a great day!